Middletown council passes large-dog insurance law

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown's Common Council has passed a law that will require renters with dogs weighing more than 30 pounds to get insurance on them.

The law exempts service dogs and dogs that have passed the American Kennel Club's Canine Good Citizen program. Enforcement is tied to rental permits, in that landlords can't get a permit for a tenant with a dog over 30 pounds that isn't covered by a liability policy with at least $100,000 in coverage. The city could also take tenants who don't comply to court, said Mayor Joe DeStefano.

The law passed 8-0. Alderman Joe Masi, who had previously said he would likely vote against the law, voted in favor.

Masi said he still has problems with many elements of the law. He thinks the weight limit is too low and the cost of the insurance too high, but that he agreed with DeStefano's statement that the city needs to try something to stem the rising number of dog bites in Middletown.

There have been over 100 dog bites reported in Middletown over the past three years, DeStefano said. He said he thinks the law would serve as another tool to hold landlords and renters responsible for the dogs. He gave the example of 90 Linden Ave., an apartment building the city condemned in March where, he said, tenants were afraid to let their kids walk outside because others would let their dogs roam the halls.

"To sit back and do nothing would be irresponsible," he said.

Breed-specific legislation is illegal in New York and the law doesn't mention any breeds; however, DeStefano said many of those 100-plus dog bites have been from pit bull-type dogs. Pit bulls have been controversial in many communities in recent years, with supporters of more restrictive laws pointing to the high number of pit bull attacks and advocates for pits saying bad owners, not the breed, are the problem.